Asan, Kathmandu

360° view of Asan Tol in 2017

Map

Asan (Newar: असं; Nepali: असन, pronounced [ʌsʌn]) (alternative names: Asan Tol असन टोल [ʌsʌn ʈol], Asan Twāh असं त्वाः) is a ceremonial, market and residential square in central Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It is one of the most well-known historical locations in the city and is famed for its bazaar, festival calendar and strategic location. Asan has been described as a fine Newar example of a traditional Asian bazaar. The Tuladhar, Maharjan, Shrestha, Bajracharya and Shakya castes make up most of the population.^[1]

Six streets converge in Asan, giving the square a perpetual bustle.^[2] The bazaar in Asan attracts shoppers from all over Kathmandu because of the tremendous variety of merchandise sold here, ranging from foodstuffs, spices and textiles to electronics and bullion.

Asan is also one of the popular tourist spots in the city because of its architectural sights and charming ambience.^[3] There are banks, restaurants and a post office. Two taxi stands and bus stops are situated on the eastern side.

^ Lewis, Todd T. (1995). "Buddhist Merchants in Kathmandu: The Asan Twah Market and Uray Social Organization" (PDF). Contested Hierarchies. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2012. Pages 38-46.
^ Oldfield, Henry Ambrose (1880). Sketches from Nipal. London: W.H. Allen and Co. p. 103.
^ "Asan Tole". Lonely Planet. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.

[1] Lewis, Todd T. (1995). "Buddhist Merchants in Kathmandu: The Asan Twah Market and Uray Social Organization" (PDF). Contested Hierarchies. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2012. Pages 38-46.

[2] Oldfield, Henry Ambrose (1880). Sketches from Nipal. London: W.H. Allen and Co. p. 103.

[3] "Asan Tole". Lonely Planet. Archived from the original on 20 June 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.

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